Coming face to face with the most common phobias

The term "acrophobia" is derived from the Greek word "acron" which means heights. If you are diagnosed with "acrophobia", you may be suffering from an intense and a persistent fear of heights. People with this phobia usually want to avoid bridges, tall buildings, or anything which is at a great height. The symptoms usually include vertigo, dizziness, sweating, etc. This phobia might occur simultaneously with other kinds of fears as well.

Most of the things in your surroundings, such as automobiles, pipe, cans, cooking utensils have one thing in common, i.e. metal. For most of us, metals are just parts of our surroundings, but some people may become obsessed with it and ultimately start fearing it. Most of the people with this phobia may want to be extra cautious about the metal they encounter.

Phobia is an irrational fear of a circumstance, animal or an object which poses no actual or imminent threat. This has got nothing to do with your personality. Believing this myth simply strengthens your belief that you will never overcome a phobia. Although certain phobias are more difficult to diagnose and treat than others, the success rate with both short term and long term phobia diagnosis and treatment is usually high.

Fear is natural. It is one of the most basic emotions of a human being. Fear of something can cause you to be extra cautious which can prove beneficial for you. Phobias are something entirely different. The major difference between a fear and a phobia is that the latter can be life limiting and come in the way of your daily activities. It can also affect your personal relationships and life goals.